Summary:
The first 2 yard blowers I owned made it to the junk heap after just a couple years of use. The 3rd yard blower was a Stihl, that was 4 years ago and still start on the third crank EVERY time!!!

Strengths:
The landscape company I work for has Stihl BR400's still in service from
the early 90's they are extremely durable and easy to work on. These blowers
get tossed in and out of trucks and are just plain tough!

Weaknesses:
If you start them properly there is no problem you must set the throttle
to atleast half open when cold and flip the choke off after it pops then
another pull or two it's running.
The BR 400/420's havr been surpassed in volume and velocity by newer designs.

Strengths:
This thing is very powerful. I use it on an 18 acre wooded lot. I have had the BR400 for about 8 years now and it always starts. I agree with previous posters that you just have to know how to start it. Take the choke down to half after it pops. If you don't you can flood it.

Summary:
Stihl is the only outdoor brand I will use. I have been in the landscape and construction business for 20+ years. I have used line trimmers, blowers, hedge trimmers, pole saws, chainsaws and they all have been great to use year after year. I've used others, but always come back to Stihl. Echo line trimmer is lighter but won't last as long. I have a Stihl FS44 (top end of homeowners) that I bought in '98 and I use it 3-4 days a week all day and not once has it given me problems. I have my dealer go over it once a yr and he can't believe I still have it. I spent $50 on my blower and that was just for the labor of the dealer going over it and a new strap.

Summary:
I pulled mine apart and use it on my mountain bike and its great! I use friction wheel drive on the back tire with a 3/4" coupler (galvanized pipe) for its drive! I can hit 30 plus mph before it red lines! Great up hills! Low tire wear!